AGNES. 27

The old man laughed. “ Yo’ mighty strong, I reckon.
Yo’ can pick it up ’thout half tryin’,” he said.

“Now, Uncle ’Rius, don’t laugh at me,” said Agnes; “just
a little more is all that is needed.”

So together they tugged and pulled, and finally the big
stone began to move; by continued efforts it was soon removed,
far enough for Uncle ’Rius to dig under it, and in a few
minutes his spade struck something hard.

“Oh!” exclaimed Agnes, breathlessly.

“ Jes’ another stone, honey, I reckon,” said the old man,
though his own heart was beating fast, for it. did not feel like
a stone. :

With redoubled energy he worked away, and Agnes ran
for her own spade, unchidden by Uncle Darius, who was now
working with all his might.

They both forgot how the time passed, and it was nearly
morning when their work was done and a large box stood
revealed. ;

Agnes threw her arms around ’Rius, laughing and crying
~ in one breath.

“Bless de Lord!” said the old man, solemnly taking off
his ragged hat. “Now, chile, go home an’ go to bed, an’
we'll do de res’ in de mornin’.”

_ Agnes was soon cuddled up again under the covers, but no
sleep visited her eyelids, and as soon as it was light she was up
again and by Uncle ’Rius’s side to make sure of the discovery.